FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Former Albanian national team midfielder Burim Kukeli has recalled the dramatic events of the match between Serbia and Albania, held on October 14, 2014 at the Partizani Stadium in Belgrade. The match, which went down in history for its tensions and serious incidents, was interrupted after a drone with the Albanian national flag flew over the stadium, causing violent clashes on the pitch.
In a story for the newspaper "Koha" in Kosovo, Kukeli said that he and his teammates were lonely and defenseless during that dramatic night.
" Before the match everything seemed fine, but during the game there was a bad energy. We felt the hatred towards us. It was just us players and some of the people from the Federation. It was not a good feeling to have the whole stadium against you. But in the end, justice triumphed ," Kukeli stressed.
He also recalled that Albania started the qualifying campaign for "EURO 2016" well with the victory against Portugal, while the match in Belgrade made it clearer how challenging the road to qualification would be.
" Everyone saw the injustice that was done to us in that match. The minimum was the reward of three points on the table, which came only after the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ," said Kukeli.
The incidents that night saw violence against Albanian players by Serbian hooligans, Serbian players and security personnel. According to Kukeli, the Albanian players were insulted and physically assaulted, and then asked to continue the match - a scenario that was impossible for them.
" It was a very dangerous situation. There was fear at times, but we had no other choice. We tried to do our best ," he said.
Kukeli believes that Albania had the potential to win the match on the field, had it been fully developed.
" We had good phases and if we had played 90 minutes, the chances of winning would have been great. But the organization was scandalous and the behavior of the opponents unacceptable ," he stressed.
In the return match in Elbasan in 2015, Kukeli was on the bench as Albania lost 0-2 to Serbia, in a match played under tight security. Despite the result, Kukeli stresses that Albania set a high example of citizenship.
" In Elbasan we showed culture and respect. We did not behave like them. We received recognition from various countries for that behavior. We behaved like civilized people ," he said.
Regarding the next match between Albania and Serbia, which will take place on Saturday at the "National Arena" in Tirana, Kukeli has a message for the fans:
" Support the national team without hatred. We need positive energy. It's a sport and it should remain that way. In the end, I hope Albania wins ."
Currently, Burim Kukeli is part of Swiss football at the U-21 level and aspires to become a coach in the Swiss Super League in the future. But his biggest goal remains to coach Albania or Kosovo.
" It's a dream for me to be the coach of Albania or Kosovo ," concluded the tireless former Rossoneri midfielder.
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